Debt collection | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2024)

FAQs

What is the 777 rule with debt collectors? ›

The “777 Rule” states that debt collectors may attempt to contact a consumer about a single debt up to seven times in seven days. Phone numbers do not matter; it's the number of debts that matters.

Debt collectors cannot harass or abuse you. They cannot swear, threaten to illegally harm you or your property, threaten you with illegal actions, or falsely threaten you with actions they do not intend to take.

If you are struggling with debt and debt collectors, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help. As soon as you use the 11-word phrase “please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately” to stop the harassment, call us for a free consultation about what you can do to resolve your debt problems for good.

Here's a snapshot of the main requirements and contact restrictions of Regulation F: The 7-in-7 rule: Reg F stipulates that there may be no more than seven (7) calls made by a debt collector to a consumer in a span of seven (7) days.

Don't provide personal or sensitive financial information

Never give out or confirm personal or sensitive financial information – such as your bank account, credit card, or full Social Security number – unless you know the company or person you are talking with is a real debt collector.

One of the most rigorous rules in their favor is the 7-in-7 rule. This rule states that a creditor must not contact the person who owes them money more than seven times within a 7-day period. Also, they must not contact the individual within seven days after engaging in a phone conversation about a particular debt.

Debt collectors are not permitted to try to publicly shame you into paying money that you may or may not owe. In fact, they're not even allowed to contact you by postcard. They cannot publish the names of people who owe money. They can't even discuss the matter with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

The debt will likely continue to accrue interest and fees, increasing the total amount owed over time. Persistent attempts to collect the debt may result in increased pressure from the collector, including frequent phone calls, letters, or even legal actions such as a debt collection lawsuit.

Lack of current information on debtors. Difficulty identifying and contacting debtors. Difficulty in accessing the most valuable information. Takes too long to locate debtors when sorting through all the data.

Debt collectors lose the right in many states to sue consumers after three or more years. But there's a loophole: If the consumer makes a payment, even against his or her own will, that can be used to try to revive the life of the debt.

What is the 609 credit repair loophole? ›

Contrary to what some might think, section 609 does not require credit bureaus to provide proof of your accounts. The FCRA gives you the right to dispute information you believe to be unfair, inaccurate or unsubstantiated.

You can sue the debt collector for violating the FDCPA. If you sue under the FDCPA and win, the debt collector must generally pay your attorney's fees and might also have to pay you damages. If you're having trouble with debt collection, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB.

This can be interpreted through the Pareto distribution-inspired axiom of the 80/20 rule, in which 20% of collection items accounts for 80% of loans (Britten, 1990; Burrell, 1985; Koch, 1998; Nisonger, 2008; Trueswell, 1969); items are divided according to their popularity.

Under the Debt Collection Rule, collectors are presumed to violate the law if they place a telephone call to you about a particular debt: More than seven times within a seven-day period, or. Within seven days after engaging in a phone conversation with you about a particular debt.